Backpackers Guide To Hostels In Rio de Janeiro

This is a quick backpacker’s guide to hostels in Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is a city that will provide not only the warmth of the sun but also a great adventure even if you’re on a budget.

Rio de Janeiro caters to a lot of different people, from the poorest to the richest to somewhere in between. Although Rio de Janeiro is a home to many middle & lower middle class population it can become quite expensive. Budget travelers should plan in advance their accommodation needs to keep costs on the down lower end.

There are hostels that I can recommend from my travels in Rio. Depending on whether you’re staying during on a weekday or a weekend or a time when there is a special event, you could be paying 54 BRL (Brazilian Real) to 200 BRL a night. The more expensive the hostel is per night, the less people there will be in the room. So, if you aren’t too picky and would love to meet new people in the process, you can easily stay in a dorm room for as low as 54 BRL. To give you more of a general idea of the cost, 1 USD is about 3.28 BRL(when this post was published), so 54 BRL is about 17 USD.

Here are some of the hostels I found in Rio de Janeiro for those who are on a budget.

1. Discovery Hostel – discoveryhostel.com

Discovery Hostel is situated just a few miles from the beach. From the airport, which is either from Galeão International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), the cheapest way to get here is by bus. Buses run from 5:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. It takes about an hour to reach the Gloria metro station stop where you will walk for about five minutes to get here. It costs 16 BRL (about 5 USD). You could also use a taxi, which will be a bit more expensive at starting rates of 70 BRL (about 22 USD).

This hostel starts 54 BRL (about 17 USD) per night for a bed in a nine bed dorm. It offers free breakfast, air conditioning, fans, personal lights and lockers. More or less, this is a bit of a steal for 17 USD.

If you stay at least three nights, you’ll only spend about 50 USD board and breakfast. Other costs depends on what else you will eat and do during the days or nights of your stay in Rio.

2. El Misti Hostel – hostels.elmistihostelrio.com

El Misti Hostel starts their offer at 52 BRL per night. The best part is if you stay a minimum of four nights, you’ll be able to get a free pick up at the airport. This hostel is also situated near the beach, but they offer a lot of activities and tours that you can do and take. They offer tours that are affordable, and you’ll also be able to enjoy a traditional Brazilian breakfast, if you opt to get their breakfast menu.

If you’re staying less than three nights, you can still take the bus or the metro going to this hostel.

3. The Mango Tree – mangotreehostel.com

The Mango Tree Hostel offers one of the lowest rates I’ve seen per night. They offer 28 BRL per night in a 12 bed mixed dormitory. This means that there will be men and women in the dorm.

It is also located in one of the best places in Rio as it is just a walk away from the Ipanema beach. This hostel is situated in a safe residential area. The best part is it is near several bars and restaurants that will meet anyone’s budget.

4. Surf N Stay – riosurfnstay.com

Although Surf N Stay may be on the “higher end” of the spectrum in terms of per night cost, it also offers a lot more than the other hostels listed here.

If you’re a surfer or a yogi, you can easily join a surfing class, rent a surfboard or do yoga by the beach with other tourists. You can also book several tours through them like a city tour, Pedra do Telégrafo Tour, hang gliding tour and many more. You can even avail of their surf or yoga and surf packages along with your stay.

5. Copacabana Hostel – cabanacopa.com.br

Copacabana hostel is another budget accommodation that offers one of the lowest rates I’ve seen per night. Their offer starts at 20 BRL per night for a bed in a 10 bed female dormitory. If you’re a guy like me, then rates start at 22 BRL per night in a 10 bed mixed dormitory.

It is located about three blocks from the Copacabana beach. It is near a lot of restaurants, bars, clubs, supermarkets, banks and other shops that can meet any budget requirement. This hostel is also easy to get to as it’s nearby a lot of transport facilities like buses and Cantagalo metro station.

6. Copacabana 4U – copacabana4uhostel.com

Copacabana 4U is another hostel situated near the Copacabana beach. Their offers start at 20 BRL per night in a 10 bed mixed dormitory. Breakfast is included with this price along with fresh linen and air conditioning.

This is hostel is just a couple miles away from the Modern Art Museum, Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes Park and Parque Campo de Santana. In the nearby areas, there are restaurants that tourists can visit that can range from being budget to upscale.

These hostels can be booked online on Agaoda. Initial payment is not required and can be paid after you check-in to the hostel.

Now that you know where to stay, you can now focus on other things like planning what to do in Rio de Janeiro.